Emerging threats from the rapidly-mutating variants of the Covid-19 virus, such as Omicron and Delta, are putting the healthcare system of India and the world to test, but individual precautions are critical in preventing an adverse situation like the second wave in April-May this year, the Union Health Ministry observed on Friday.

“Mask usage is declining in India. We have to remember that both vaccines and masks are important. As far as protection capability is concerned, we are now operating at a risky and unacceptable level. We should learn from the global situation,” Dr VK Paul, Member-Health at NITI Aayog and head of India’s Covid-19 Task Force, said at a media briefing in New Delhi.

Overall, there are 25 Omicron cases in the country so far, and all cases have mild symptoms. Less than 0.04% of total variants detected: Lav Agarwal, Joint Secy, Union Health Ministry

“Two countries had reported Omicron cases till November 24. Now, 59 countries have reported cases of Omicron. These 59 countries have reported 2,936 Omicron cases. Besides this, 78,054 probable cases have been detected and their genome sequencing is underway,” Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary with the Health Ministry, said.

As far as protection capability is concerned, India is now operating at a risky and unacceptable level, Paul said.

“The WHO highlighted that public health measures should be abided by on a continual, besides vaccination. Adequate precautions have to be followed… Laxity in public health measures leading to a surge in cases in Europe. Surveillance, effective screening, monitoring of international travellers and health infrastructure upgradation is being done. States have been notified to increase their surveillance and actively test passengers arriving from other countries,” Agarwal said.

The overall positivity rate in the country is at 0.73 % for the last week, which is less than 10,000 cases in the last 14 days. The active caseload is the highest in Kerala and Maharashtra, with over 43% and 10%, respectively.

“Regular meetings are being organised to keep a watch on global scenario and the Covid-19 scene in India, with a focus on Omicron. We need help to not spread panic. District-level restrictions will be implemented where positivity rate is over 5%,” Balram Bhargava, ICMR DG, said.